• Water

Lake Powell’s Record Low Water Levels Threaten Power for Millions

• colorado river
• Lake Mead
• water shortage

By Amy Lupica, ODP Daily Editor In August, the federal government declared the first-ever water shortage along the Colorado River as drought pushed its largest reservoir, Lake Mead, to record lows. Now, that shortage is threatening the power supply of 5.8 million homes and businesses and water levels at the nation’s second largest reservoir, Lake […]

• Water

Line 3 Pipeline Threatens Minnesota Waters and Indigenous Wild Rice Harvests

• Enbridge
• indigenous communities
• Line 3
• Minnesota
• pipelines

By Ashira Morris, ODP Staff Writer The controversial Line 3, a pipeline expansion under construction in northern Minnesota that would transport one million barrels of tar sands per day, hasn’t begun operating yet, but is already causing harm. The line’s construction, coupled with drought, has created low water levels in Minnesota lakes where Indigenous Anishinaabe […]

• Water

EPA Deals Crushing Blow to Pebble Mine Project in Bristol Bay

• Alaska
• Alaska tribes
• EPA
• Pebble Mine

By Amy Lupica, ODP Daily Editor In another significant blow to the Pebble Mine project in Alaska, the EPA has asked a federal court to allow Clean Water Act protections for parts of Bristol Bay, a body of water that stands to be decimated if the project continues. Environmental advocates and Alaska Native tribes hope […]

• Water

California’s Drought Could Worsen Climate Change

By Natasha Lasky, ODP Staff Writer California’s record-breaking drought is not just a result of climate change — it’s also making climate change worse. According to a new study, population growth and energy-sapping water projects have driven up emissions and slowed down decarbonization campaigns. As it gets more and more difficult for Californians to rely […]

• Water

Federal Judge Restores Obama-Era Protections for Streams, Marshes, and Wetlands

• #30x30
• drinking water
• water pollution
• water shortage

By Amy Lupica, ODP Daily Editor   A federal judge has thrown out a Trump administration environmental rollback that scaled back federal protections for the nation’s streams, marshes, and wetlands. Despite support from farm and business groups, the federal judge ruled that the rollback could lead to “serious environmental harm.” Environmental groups are celebrating the decision, which will reinstate protections for […]

• Water

Brazil’s Water Sources Have Declined by 15% in Just 30 Years

• Amazon
• Brazil
• pantanal
• water shortage
• wetlands

By Amy Lupica, ODP Staff Writer Between 1991 and 2020, Brazil lost 15% of its surface water, a new study shows. The country holds the most water resources globally, but both the world’s most extensive wetlands and rainforests are losing water at rapid rates. Now, severe drought and deforestation threaten water security and access to energy and food for millions, […]